Health Care Reform

[Primula Baggins]

But that's exactly why the Republicans drew that line. They don't want to be seen cooperating with Democrats. They ensured that it was impossible.

Or are you saying that the Democrats should be more "flexible" and undermine their entire agenda for the sake of bipartisanship? In other words, agree to do what the Republicans are refusing to do?

[Dave_LF]

How much a month is the subscription fee?

Per month:
$15 for a child
$65 for an adult under 50
$75 for an adult 50+

With various discounts for couples or whole families.

[Cerin]

But that's exactly why the Republicans drew that line. They don't want to be seen cooperating with Democrats. They ensured that it was impossible.

Or are you saying that the Democrats should be more "flexible" and undermine their entire agenda for the sake of bipartisanship? In other words, agree to do what the Republicans are refusing to do?

No, Prim, I'm not saying the Democrats should work with Republicans to do things they're against. I thought I'd seen the fact of Republicans working alone on their health care replacement plan held up as a point of criticism; I was simply saying that their working alone shouldn't be a point of criticism if it's the Democrats who have (understandably) elected to stay out of the process.

edit punctuation

[yovargas]

I think (I could be wrong) that Dems would be willing to at least listen to an earnest Replace bill. Obviously if it's just Repeal without Replace, there isn't much of anything to talk about.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I am quite sure that the Democrats are willing to work with the GOP to stabilize the health care markets and ensure that the Cost-Share-Reductions payments are made to the insurance companies, which the law requires, but which the Trump administration keeps threatening not to do, which is the main reason insurance companies have been pulling out of the exchanges. They are not willing to work with the GOP on a replacement plan that guarantees that many millions of people lose insurance. Nor should they.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said today that the party should be considering a single payer plan, but that would obviously require a total upheaval of both houses of Congress and the presidency (and maybe the Supreme Court, too).

[yovargas]

Well yes, they would be willing to cooperate on an effort to improve costs and access, as opposed to whatever it is Reps have been trying to do.

[Frelga]

On the @MordorNPS Twitter today

GONDOR CALLS FOR MEDICAID! Have you called your Senator to tell them what you think of the #HealthcareBill? Do it! https://t.co/tQcwTK6gVI …

Seriously, guys. If you have a Republican Senator, call them, please.

Eta:
Heller: 202-224-6244
Capito: 224-6472
Portman: 224-3353 or 419-259-3895
Murkowski: 224-6665
Lee: 224-5444
Paul: 224-4343

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I notice you don't have Collins on that list, since she is the only one in the GOP senate caucus likely to vote no on the motion to proceed without further encouragement.

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[Frelga]

I notice you don't have Collins on that list, since she is the only one in the GOP senate caucus likely to vote no on the motion to proceed without further encouragement.

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Collins Augusta office (207) 622-8414, DC (202)224-2523, Fax: (202)224-2693

Also, McCain is said to be flying to DC to help repeal the ACA. So disappointed in him.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I honestly meant she doesn't need any prodding. But maybe thanks for being the only one willing to fimly stand up for her constituents would be in order.

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[Frelga]

I agree. She is under a lot of pressure and hearing from voters supporting her can only help.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

I would be shocked if she under the current circumstances voted yes on today's motion to proceed, or on any of the bills that are on the table (which include the bill passed by the House, which is technically what the motion to proceed is on, the revised Senate bill including the Cruz amendment that virtually eliminates protections for those with pre-existing conditions, or the repeal-and-replace-later bill that was passed in 2015 when they knew President Obama would veto it).

The most concerning thing to me is that Sen. McCain returned to Washington in order to vote yes on this motion. That is probably the factor that will put the most pressure on wavering "moderates" who won't want to vote no and make McCain's appearance meaningless. I think the motion will pass. Whether that then leads to any bill actually passing by the Senate, particularly one that can also pass in the House, is more doubtful to me. But it is not impossible, by any means.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

The motion is almost certainly going to pass. Collins is the only firm no, and most of the others have said that will vote yes, including Heller and Capito. Murkowski still hasn't announced her position, but even if she votes no that will only make it a tie, which Pence would break.

Apparently the latest plan being floated is what is being called a "skinny" repeal that would mostly only repeal the ACA's individual and employer mandates. Never mind that that is completely unworkable, and probably would not pass in the House; it would enable the GOP senators to say that they had passed a "repeal" of "Obamacare".

Disgusting.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Murkowski did vote no, but it won't be enough.

[Frelga]

50/50 tie, which Pence will break.

[Inanna]

Broken.

[Voronwë the Faithful]

Broken.

America? (Yes, I understand that you were just confirming that Pence broke the 50/50 tie, but I couldn't resist.)

[Inanna]

As soon as I pressed "Send", I knew that someone on this board will make that inference. (Not necessarily you, but someone or the other would have!)

[Voronwë the Faithful]

It's going to be an interesting few days.

[yovargas]

*years